Nigeria defeated Niger 15-0 in their second outing of the ongoing WAFU B Women’s Championship in Ivory Coast on Saturday to book a place in the semi-finals.
Fresh from a 5-1 win over Burkina Faso in Group B opener on Thursday, the Super Falcons confirmed their top-favourite status against the female Mena, who appeared not to have recovered from the 12-0 drubbing they suffered at the hands of Mali in their previous game.
Nigeria, who are using the WAFU tournament as groundwork for the upcoming FIFA Women World Cup in France, seemingly put in a lot of seriousness in their campaign both on and off the pitch.
Cynthia Onyedikachi, who was eventually named Woman of the Match, grabbed the opener for Nigeria in the 9th minute when she was set up deep in Niger area. Her finish went past goalkeeper Aichatou Zakari and settled in the back net.
Just two minutes later, the Falcons were up 2-0 through Uchenna Grace, who claimed a hat trick against Burkina Faso. She meandered through Niger defence and dropped her effort beyond the keeper.
It soon became a one-way traffic, as balls kept floating only to Niger area.
Rafiat Sule made it 3-0 by the 23 minute while Onyedikachi completed her brace five minutes later to power Nigeria’s lead to 4-0.
Niger briefly heaved some sigh of relief from the pressure after some injury interruptions; however, the Falcons retook control, with Uchenna hitting her double of the day after the half hour mark.
Joy Bokiri scored from a corner-kick, while Uchenna hit home two quick goals, a header from Onyedikachi’s corner and another in a goalmouth scramble, in dying minutes of first half.
Uchenna remained a thorn in Niger flesh throughout the first, wrapping up her five-goal fiesta in added time. The score was 9-0 at half time.
Uchenna was substituted at the beginning of the second half for safety reasons, with Nigeria still controlling the proceedings, as Rafiat Sule scored her second goal in the 51st minute.
Alice Ogebe converted the Falcons’ first penalty of the afternoon after the hour mark while Mary Nunumwen fired home a long ball from 25 yards out to take the score to 12-0.
Second half substitute Wogu Success contributed her quota in 72nd minute, while Chidinma Vnkeruka made it 14-0 from the spot kick with 10 minutes remaining.
Glory Akumbu sealed the 15-0 triumph in added time.
Nigeria will meet Mali, another favourite of the tournament, in their next game.
